Rationalizing: How do we know for sure that we aren't?

[Meno2 (Meno_)]

@One Liner

Most of the time rationalizations are completely invisible and hence unfelt but, sure, sometimes some surface to our consciousness and create dissonance.

But some can cause consonance, are completely visible, even if, only felt, like in gut level feelings. To say most are of this kind or that, is a probability/uncertainty issue.

[One_Liner]

Reality is you will never really know and so is it wise to exercise caution?

[Arcturus_Descending]

@jerkey

Arcturus, One Liner: Whether it is felt or observed, is a matter of gradient.
Both, feelings and observation relate to rationalizing, but one is compelled to ask, which occupies a deeper, or more central position.

Thoughts and images are closer to the surface, easier to access, they are more sensible. Feelings are misleading, because, verification is harder.

We can cry at something funny, and laugh at something sad.

Jerkey,

Yes, we can rationalize our feelings and what we seem to “observe within ourselves” jerkey, but does that mean that we will necessarily indulge in rationalizing?

Define “verification” with reference to feelings? Do you mean as in seeing that they have validity or that their - I mean are “real” and reasonable insofar as what has occurred within us or without us?

As for the last, that’s possibly because we aren’t taking a look at our emotions in the moment, what we are “really” dealing with.
Another defense mechanism? Repression?

[One_Liner]

We cannot rationalize feelings as such but we can rationalize our thoughts about our feelings.